TO THE POINT

‘‘The abolition of the 90-day trial for large employers will have the perverse effect of reducing opportunities for those Kiwis most in need of opportunity,’’ Greg Harford, Retail NZ’s general manager for public affairs, says. What a load of propaganda. Good news for employees. The 90-day law has been restrictive and should cover all employers. It has done nothing to help employees get jobs, just made it easier to sack them. Only NZ First has saved employers’ bacon.

Peter Petterson, Lower Hutt

Stop shuddering, Steve Anderton of Paraparaumu (Letters, Dec 6). American saluting protocol is different from ours. We never saluted without wearing a hat, sprang to attention with hand vertical and palm open towards the front. Americans don’t bother about hats, hold the hand horizontal with palm down and even salute while sitting. Donald Trump attended a military school and his salute is probably a reflex action. The president may not be a serving officer but he is the commander-in-chief and who would deny him a friendly wave in response to a formal salute.

Don Boswell, Eastbourne

I wonder, is there any link between youth mental health and suicide and the financial pressure placed on both parents to work fulltime? Have we studied the effect early child education from birth has on our children’s sense of security?

Teresa Homan, Upper Hutt

Strike, strike, strike, the real and normal effect of a Labour government. If it was not for Winston Peters none of this would be happening. Wake up, New Zealand.

James Hibbs, Upper Hutt

Pregnant Papa (Nov 11) reminded me of a quote I came across in the Near East in the 1950s. ‘‘Man born of man will live forever.’’ I wish a long and happy life for Scout Barbour-Evans’ child.

Eric Constantine, Palmerston North

Now that National Party members have staged a walkout after the Speaker expelled their leader and Gerry Brownlee from the House, perhaps Trevor Mallard should ban all of them from ever returning. Without the Opposition’s annoying questions the Government can then focus on doing what’s best for them. Mike Jarvis, Paraparaumu Beach